Early review of the blockbuster game just released on Steam, priced at nearly 1.3 million VND: Is it worth buying?

After a long period of silence, Capcom finally released Pragmata - a completely new IP that doesn't piggyback on familiar game franchises like Resident Evil or Monster Hunter.

With a price tag of around 1.3 million VND on Steam, the question is: is this a worthwhile blockbuster, or just an underdeveloped experiment?

Pragmata's biggest strength lies in its gameplay.

The game combines third-person shooting with a mechanism for hacking enemies through maze-style puzzle mini-games. To inflict effective damage, you must hack robots to reveal their weaknesses, then unleash your finishing blows. This mechanism makes each battle more intense and deeper than typical shooting games. Players must simultaneously dodge attacks, solve puzzles quickly, and manage weapon resources. As the difficulty increases, combat becomes more intense and satisfying. A diverse arsenal of weapons (pistols, machine guns, shotguns, support gadgets) along with cooldown mechanics forces you to play strategically.

The boss battles are the real highlight. Giant robots with dangerous skill sets can send you to your demise with just a few mistakes. The suffocating feeling of running low on health and healing but still having to keep clutching is something Pragmata does very well. However, a drawback is that the game reuses some bosses, making the experience feel a bit anticlimactic towards the end. This is quite unfortunate, considering the initial boss designs were very impressive.

The game allows players to explore a lunar base with many unique areas, even featuring spaces that bend reality thanks to 3D printing technology. Initially, players are guided through quite impressive environments. But the longer they play, the less variety there is. The second half of the game starts to repeat the setting, lacking the wow-factor moments of the beginning. In the game, players take on the role of Hugh, an astronaut stranded on the Moon, teaming up with the android Diana to fight against rebellious AI. The idea isn't bad, but the execution is rather safe.

The main character lacks personality, the plot twists are predictable, and the father-son relationship lacks emotional depth. This is clearly not a game for those seeking a truly outstanding story.

The main story takes only about 6-7 hours to complete. Even with additional side content, the total playtime is only around 15-20 hours if played fully. At a price of nearly 1.3 million VND on Steam, this is definitely a factor many people will have to consider. Pragmata is a very fun game, but it's not outstanding enough. At its original price, it might not be convincing enough for discerning players. But with the discount, it's definitely a worthwhile experience.